Coupling



G. M. KELLY July 6, 1948.

COUPLING Filed July 9, 1945 Georye M. K

' INVENTOR. BY 44 MW ATTQRNEY.

Patented July 6, 1948 George M. Kelly, Sturgis, Mich., assignor to H. A.

Douglas Mfg. 00., Bronson, Micl'n, a corporation of Michigan 1 Application July 9, 1945, Serial No. 603,773

This invention relates generally to coupling devices and more particularly is directed to a fitting or plug'device, secured to the extremity of a conduit,'such as the conduit of a vacuum cleaner, whereby the hose may be detachably connected to the cleaner.

One important object of the invention is to provide a fitting which will allow the conduit or hose to rotate freely with respect to the fitting when the latter is connected to the cleaner. This arrangement has proven desirable because twisting, coiling, and kinking of the conduit is prevented when an accessory such as a floor nozzle, connected to the opposite end of the conduit is being used.

Another object is to provide a fitting which consists of very few parts which may be easily and quickly assembled into a compact unit on a production basis.

A further object is to provide a fitting which 2'Claims. (Cl.285-174) may be easily and quickly detachably connected to the cleaner in a manner whereby the air passing through the conduit will not escape through the fitting; in other words, an uninterrupted continuous passage is provided between the conduit and the interior of the cleaner.

A still further object is to provide a fitting or plug which may slightly rotate with respect to the cleaner and the conduit may rotate with respect to the plug.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent after reading the description hereinafter set forth in connection with the drawing annexed hereto.

- In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows the conduit fitting secured or assembled with a vacuum cleaner, with portions of the assembly broken away to clearly illustrate the details of construction;

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken through an appropriate part of the coupling for the purpose of showing additional details of construction;

Figure 3 is a side view of the coupling; and

Figure 4,is a partial section showing the manner in which the ferrule may be permanently secured to the body part of the plug.

Referring more in detail to the structure illustrated inFigure l, numeral 1 represents the fit-- ting or plug detachably connected to the end wall 2 of a vacuum cleaner housing 3, and 4 is theconduit or hose rotatably associated with the fitting.

The end wall of the vacuum cleaner housing is provided with a circular opening 5 through which the fitting is projected. The opening is preferably chamfered at 6 whereby to assist in piloting iii the plug into the opening. A receptacle or socket 1 for the plug is secured to the inner side of the end wall 2 by a plurality of screws 8. The receptacle includes, a cylindrical portion 9 serving as a bearing or support for a part of the plug, an enlarged annular portion In which forms a space within which portions of the latches may operate, and a radially extending flange II. A gasket I2 is disposed between the flange II and the inner side of the end wall of the cleaner so as to seal off and prevent any air from being drawn into the cleaner other than through the passage desired. The receptacle 1 is also provided with an end wall I3 provided with an aperture 14. A resilient washer I5 is disposed in the receptacle 1 and pre ferably cemented to the end wall I3 to serve as a yieldable abutment for the inner end or extremity of the plug. The washer H5 is provided with an aperture l6 corresponding to the aperture 14.

The conduit is of conventional construction. One extremity of an elongated tube [1 is firmly secured against rotation in the conduit 4 and its other extremity extends beyond the end of the conduit and provides a fixed mounting or support about which the plug I may rotate. The free end of the tube I1 is preferably provided with a radial locking flange l8.

The plug preferably includes a tubular cylindrical body 19 constructed from some desirable materiaLsuch as pyroxlin plastic or phenolic condensate. The body is provided with a round opening 20 through which the tube I! extends whereby to rotatably mount the plug. The end of the body which first enters the receptacle 1 of the cleaner is preferably recessed to provide a shoulder 2| which is engaged by the radial flange l8 of the tube for holding the plug connected to the conduit. The opposite or trailing end of the body is also preferably recessed to provide a shoulder 22 which is engaged by the end of the conduit whereby to hold the plug against movement in an axial direction. Theend of the conduit being seated in the last mentioned recess is well protected and serves to conceal any end which may not have been cut or severed as intended. Also, any frayed ends of the fabric covering on the conduit are concealed from view.

A cup shaped ferrule 23 snugly surrounds the body 19 and is detachably connected thereto by the catch portions 24 of the latches 25, the catch portions .24 projecting through square shaped openings 26 provided therefor in the ferrule. The ferrule is also preferably permanently secured to the body by indenting a portion of the ferrule into an aperture provided therefor as indicated in 3 Figure 4. Thus, it will be evident that the intervening space between the tube and ferrule is substantially filled or taken up by the body IS. The bottom or end well of the cup shaped ferrule abuts the extreme end of the body and is provided with an aperture 21 corresponding in size to the apertures l4 and IS in the receptacle or socket and washer 1-5. The entrance endof'the ferrule is preferably slightly rounded to assist in piloting the plug into the chamfered opening 6 of the cleaner and into the receptacle 1. of a length somewhat less than the length of the body I9 and terminates more or less against an exposed enlargement 28 of the body which more or less serves as a handle to assist in connecting and disconnecting the plug with respect to the cleaner.

The body 19 is further provided with a pair of The ferrule is.

diametrically disposed longitudinally extending,

shallow channels or pockets 29, generally rectangular in-cross section.

Each channel preferably includes a. relatively shenthoriaontal base wall 30, adjacent the shoulder. 22, and an inclined bottom wall- 3i with terminations adjacent the wall,3.0,and.the front extreinity of the body as clearly depicted; in Figure 1, ,At or adjacent the junction between the wallsjust mentioned there is preferably provided a round hole 32 which receives and locates one end .of a helical spring 33.

M A resilient latch 25 is disposed in each 01' the channels 29. One extremity of each latch i preferably wedged or caught in between the upper limit oi the inclined bottom wall 31 of. each channel- .and the ferrule and the opposite extremity is provided with a rounded loop portion 34. which pr ojects-outwardly through an opening formedby theinner marginal edge of the ferrule and the channel to provide oppositely disposed finger or thumb operated latch means at appropriate 10- cations with respect to the round handle portienzfl, Thedownturned portion 3.5.ofeach latch ism ore .or less concealedby the left .end wall 36 of each channel. Each latch is preferably planar incharacter except for the catch portion 24 and loopportion .34, and includes flat portions 31 and 38 with the catch portion therebctween. Each catch preferably includes an inclined or cam portion 39 and ashoulderportion 40.. These flatiportions 31 and 33 are normally pressed against, the inner cylindrical surface of the ferrule'by the spring .33 which preferably. b ars against the portion 31 between the catch and loop Portions in order. .to obtain the action de-, sired.

' In view of the foregoing it will be evident that to connect the plug to the cleaner it merely necessary to grasp either the conduit or plug or bothandforce the plug into the opening .5 of the cleaner, to cause the cam portions 39 of the catches to be moved inwardly, andwhen th en; trance end of the plug engages and compresses the, washer l5, seated in the receptacle 1, "the catch portions will snap outwardly into the space .formedfby the annular portion 'lll ofthe receptacle so that the shoulder portions 40" will abut the inner side or surface of the endwall of the cleaner whereby to detachablyfhold the plug in place. "80 held the conduit and tube H are free to rotate with respect to the plug and prevent kinking of the conduit, To release-the plug it is merely necessary to depress the finger portions 4 34 of the latche so that the shoulder portions 40 of the latches disengage the inner side of the end wall of the housing and then pull the plug. The washer IE not only serves as a seal but tends to more or less throw the plug outwardly when the plug is being disconnected. v

It will also be manifest that since the latches are resilient and are spring pressed the latches are sensitive but very positive in action, and accordingly provide a quick detachable connection between the conduit fitting and the vacuum cleaner. Moreover, it will be apparent that if found desirable the washer l5 may be constructed of some desirable material which will allow the. plug to rotate in the receptacle I as well as with respect to the conduit 4; or the washer may be eliminated entirely in which event the entrance end of the plug would bear against the end wall; of the receptacle to allow the plug to rotate in the receptacle as exemplified in Figure .5 of the drawing in assignees copending application Ser. No. 567,,8l3filed December 12, 1945..

Having thus described my invention, it, is ob.- vious that various other modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention; and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described.

Iclaim:

.1. A. plug device comprising, a body member, a pocket provided in said body, an apertured fer rule surrounding at least a portion of said body and covering a part of said pocket, an axial opening in said body, a tubular member extending through said axial opening, a hole in thebottom wall of said pocket intersecting said axial openi g, said pocket, said tubular member and said ferrule forming a chamber, latchmeans in said chamber having catch portion projecting through the aperture in the ferrule and a finger operated portionprojecting outwardly from the uncovered part of the pocket, and resilient means digpcsedin the hole engaging the tubular, inc-in; her and acting on said latch means for urging its projecting portions to predeterminedpositions.

2. A plug device comprising, a-bearinga body carried 'by said bearing provided with a longitudi, nally extending channel in its exterior surface, a ferrule surrounding at least a portion of said body and covering a part of said channel, an. aperture in said ferrule, and latch means in said channelhaving a catch portion resiliently supported on said bearing and urged outwardly through said aperture and a portion extending outwardly from the uncoveredpart of the'channel for controlling the operation -of the catch portion.

GEORGE-M. KELLY.

REFERENCES orren The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNI'I S S PATENT Number Name Date 593,191 Bernhardt Nov, -9, 189? 2,864g397 White Dec. 15; 1936 2,102,802 Lofgren =lDec. 21; 1937 2,190,382 Pardee- Feb. '20, 1940 2,222,018 Bruce Nov. 19, 1940 2,245,151 Martinet JunelO, 19.41 

